Will he let his wounds and own beliefs impede his investigation …

I am always to happy when I tumble upon a first in a new series, I feels like I will “grow”, well now age, with the heroes and get to know them more closely than if I had discovered the series later.

As the story is told in the first person, so we take on Corravan on the day of a woman’s body is discovered in the Thames. From there, it is his own reminiscences which brought under light some parts of his past.
Like every person born in the poorer parts of the city, he has already lived many lives, cloaking himself into a multilayered shadow, a past he keeps at bay most of the time as like many, he does not like to revisit the hardships of his youth.

The talent of the author is to make us like him, flaws and mistakes while he navigates the muddy waters of the city, trying to sort out the right from the false.
The case is a complexe intricate one, which appears as a classic for greed until things did not add up, then the ramifications of the leads pull in every directions, leaving Corravan at loss and dubious of the right path to follow.
Growing up maturation leaving behind one view of oneself and the world

Corravan is intrinsically a honorable man but he let his fears and feelings rule him, inhibiting his ability of thinking straight, of seing past his own imperfections and slowing is pace. Belinda, his lover is right when she pinpoints his shortcomings. So as much it is a mystery tale, it is also one of maturing, of inner growing up, of accepting one’s weakness and move forward by accepting the world can’t be all white and black.
The author blend history with fiction, to offer us a dark story of resilience, compromise, of love beyond reason and the right of justice.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 embraces behind closed doors.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Crooked Lane Books, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Fans of historical mysteries - especially those set in Victorian London- will enjoy this new entry. Inspector Michael Corravan has a colorful past. An orphan who won his money as a bare knuckle fighter before joining the Met, he's driven by a desire for answers, Originally assigned to solve the disappearance of the wife of a wealthy man, he, along with his colleague Stiles, find themselves racing to capture the killer who has been leaving the corpses of young women in rowboats on the Thames. What's the link with Corravan's original case? No spoilers but know that this one is a slow burn. It might seem a tad plodding at the start but consider that atmospherics and set up. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to more with Corravan.

Anne Perry is one of my favorite authors. When I saw this title compared to her work, I knew I had to read it. Inspector Corravan is a multi-faceted character with history. The plot contains plenty of twists and turns with social commentary. The setting is appropriately atmospheric. My judgment: I’m hoping for a series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.25/5⭐️

I wanted to read this initial series starter because I had read a stand-alone by this author previously and really enjoyed it.

Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan, an Irish no-nonsense former bare-knuckles boxer and dockworker, is investigating a series of strange murders centering around the Thames River. There are lots of suspects/motives as he weaves his way toward the killer.

My only issues were with the story’s length (a bit too drawn out I felt), frustration at times with Corravan’s moodiness and keeping up with an abundance of miscellaneous characters’ names. And just to mention, there are some dark deeds here including rape (not too graphic).

Corravan’s world is populated with some interesting folks including his young colleague Stiles, his director Vincent, his medical friend James, his lover Belinda and a newly-acquired teenaged boarder Harry…a well-drawn ensemble. I’m intrigued to hear the backstories of these, and I look forward to more well-researched and well-written adventures. I enjoyed this one!

My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
I REALLY liked this book! This is a Victorian Mystery that introduces the reader to Inspector Michael Corravan. It takes place in 1878 in upper crust London. The Inspector is working on two cases-one involves a missing wife and the other one involves the murders of several young women. Are they connected? The author does a great job of letting the reader help the Inspector solve both crimes. I hope the author writes more stories about Inspector Michael Corravan. I found him to be a very likable character and I would like to read more about his adventures solving crimes!

I’m always up for a good Victorian murder mystery, and I was excited to dive into Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River, the first book in her new Inspector Corravan Mystery series.

It’s 1878 in London, when a small boat bearing a young woman’s corpse drifts down the Thames. The victim is lovely and well-dressed, obviously a member of the upper crust. Her hands are bound, and she lies mysteriously in a bed of flower petals.

Scotland Yard’s Chief Inspector Michael Corravan, a canny, street-savvy, former bare-knuckles boxer and dockworker is assigned to the case. Corravan’s experience as a riverman comes in handy as he follows clue after clue, wondering if the murder could be somehow connected to another case of his—the search for the missing wife of a shipping magnate.

Before you know it, the body of a second young woman is found in similar circumstances, and then a third. Corravan correctly deduces that this is a new kind of mayhem—a series of killings from the deranged mind of one man (this is before Jack the Ripper reared his ugly head in London). The intrepid inspector must find the killer before the newspapers leak the story and send Londoners into a state of panic, and, more importantly, before another innocent victim’s life is claimed.

This was a marvelous, darkly atmospheric story filled with fascinating details about life in Victorian London. We meet the snobbish Mayfair upper classes, the hardworking folk of seedy Whitechapel and the murky docks, the worthy doctors and suffering patients at a few hospitals and lunatic asylums, and the staff of a police department that is struggling to recover from a recent corruption scandal.

The plot is clever, fast-paced, and thrilling, and kept me turning pages long into the night. The greatest strength of the novel, though, is the depth and complexity of all the characters, a feature I find is often short-changed in murder mysteries featuring male detectives. From the Chief Inspector down to the smallest side role, all of the characters feel very real and fleshed out as human beings.

Michael Corravan is a particularly worthy hero. Orphaned young, he was saved from a life on the streets by a poor but kind Irishwoman, obliged to earn his living by his fists while living in the underbelly of society, an upbringing that has made him fiercely devoted to finding truth and justice for the victims of the crimes he investigates. His relationship with his love interest, Belinda, a smart and perceptive woman, is also compellingly depicted, giving us a glimpse into Corravan’s emotional inner life and revealing both his strengths and weaknesses.

The novel is gorgeously written and infused with literary references, which I found particularly intriguing and effective. Are these allusions a clue to the killer’s agenda? You’ll have to read the novel to find out!

I’ve enjoyed all of Karen Odden’s novels and I have to say, this one is hands down my favorite. I look forward to the next book in the series.

A spellbinding, brilliantly plotted Victorian murder mystery, Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River features a fascinating and relatable detective, a cast of complex characters, powerful prose, exceptional attention to historical detail, and enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Highly recommended!

This book was so engaging and addicting that I found myself reading it as quickly as I could - during meals and breaks at work, etc. The writing style is interesting, in that from the very beginning it felt as if I was reading the second or third book in a series, not the first. Characters and prior police cases were mentioned to whom we’d yet to be introduced. I thought this would be jarring and annoying, but the author is such a brilliant storyteller that it actually felt quite comfortable. I sincerely hope there truly will be a second and third book because these characters have so many stories to tell, and I’m desperate to read them.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

*Many thanks to Karen Odden, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Victorian mystery set in the 1870s London, with a panorama of characters from different walks of life and an inspector whose childhood was not easy, who literally started to earn his living with his hands, then moved on to work on the Thamaes and eventually finds his vocation with Scotland Yard. Michael Corrovan has been trying to locate a missing woman when a body of a dead young woman is found in a lighter on the river. Then, other murders occur. This is the first book with Inspector Corrovan, and it is a good beginning to a new series for fans of Victorian mystery series. Writing is good and the characters are well-presented. I will definitely look out for next books in this series.

It is 1878 in London and Michael Corravan is one of the few Senior Inspectors for Scotland Yard who survived the corruption scandal the previous year where other Inspectors were convicted of bribery and other crimes which let criminals go free.

The Yard has a new director in the person of Mr. Vincent, a public school man, son of a baronet, former reporter with now previous police experience. Vincent couldn't be more different than Corravan who is an orphan from Whitechapel who lived on the charity of others after his mother's death and who earned his living as a bare-knuckles boxer and riverman before he joined the police. While Vincent wants to clean up the Yard's reputation, Corravan is more interested in solving the multitude of cases on his desk.

Corravan is currently looking into the disappearance of Mrs. Beckford. Her husband reported her missing and Corravan has been looking for her for two weeks. He thinks he might be getting close to finding her. Then Vincent assigns him the case of a woman found murdered and floating in a lighter on the Thames. He learns that the woman is Rose Albert, the daughter of a prominent judge.

As he looks into her murder, he learns that she was a kind woman who leaves behind a loving fiancé. but whose family has various secrets. Then another young woman is found. She's also upper class and Corravan begins looking for connections. When a third woman is discovered, this time alive, Corravan's case gets more complicated. Though he does start to see connections more than than class and addresses that connect them to his missing woman case.

Because Corravan found the missing woman in an asylum, wrapped in a straight jacket, and silent. He tries to bring her home but she gets violent when approaching her home which convinces him to take her to a doctor friend who runs a ward at a local hospital where he deals with mental disorders. This is illegal. The woman has no rights and should be returned to her husband who has control over her. But Corravan wants answers first.

This was an excellent story steeped in Victorian life and culture. Corravan was a well-rounded character whose background as a child has made him a man determined to find justice for the victims of the crimes he is investigating. At the same time his background has made it difficult for him to ask for help even from the woman he loves and makes him emotionally fragile. The information about women's rights, or rather the lack of them, was well integrated and form a large part of the plot of the story.

Fans of historical mysteries with great settings and well-developed characters will enjoy this story and be looking forward to more of Michael Corravan's adventures.

This is an inspector Corravan mystery set in Victorian London.
Corravan works for Scotland Yard. This is a fairly young division in Victorian England but he is an experienced policeman who can be tough when he needs to be. He understands the underside of Victorian London as he has lived there for most of his life. There are a number of outstanding cases to be solved but he gets dragged into a missing person’s case. This leads to two murders but is it a serial killer or are they unrelated. We are in the days before the Jack the Ripper murders but these two murders are puzzling and violent.
Caravans’ private life with a beautiful novelist who won’t marry him gives him a chance to talk about his work with someone outside the force but it is a love story that has to take second place to the murders. The picture of Victorian urban life is really well told and you almost feel like you are there. Victorian London is wonderful if you have money but full of evil and poverty and the author has researched the period so well that she writes as if she was there. This is an exciting and quite scary story in parts. For fans of historical mysteries this is an excellent new detective to get to know and I hope that we will see him again.

I've read all of Karen Odden's books about Victorian London but this book takes her in a new direction. I thought the characters, the mystery, the historical atmosphere, and the structure were cleverly done, and they kept me reading well into the night.

She has a way of surrounding her stories with the dockyards, wealthy homes, and poor areas of London in the 1870s, and this book is no exception. It's 1878 London, and Michael Corravan is a rough-at-the-edges, Scotland Yard inspector who came up the hard way through humble origins in Whitechapel. At a time when Scotland Yard is in trouble because of scandal the previous year, he is hanging by his fingertips, hoping to do his job well while bringing back some respect for the Yard.

A huge case involving murdered young women from the upper tier of society comes Corravan's way, a madman who is killing young women and floating their lifeless bodies on small boats down the Thames. The first was appalling, but when each week brings another, Corravan is at his wit's end to figure out the why and how of this situation. Add the pressure of the public criticism of Scotland Yard, the calls for this to end by the upper class whose daughters are dying, and you have a first-rate mystery to read. A second case involving the missing wife of a wealthy man further complicates the story.

I highly recommend this book if you're a historical fiction reader because Karen Odden does her research, and her depictions of Victorian London are fascinating.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC.

3.8 Stars

Inspector Corravan, an Irish former bare-knuckle boxer and dockworker from the East End of London, is drowning under a large pile of files, pending reports, and cases. The latest mess up in the (Scotland) Yard has led to changes in the department and distrust in people.
The Inspector manages to track down a missing woman, Mrs. Beckford, when he gets called to supervise a crime scene near the Thames. The new case takes prominence as bodies accumulate every week.
With leads going nowhere and families unwilling to help (they’ve got to protect their secrets, after all), Corravan starts to feel the pressure. His straightforward methods seem to be doing more harm than good.
As his young colleague Stiles discovers a few links, Corravan realizes that both his cases could very well be connected. But where do the leads take him, and who is the killer? And most importantly, what kinds of crimes have been buried, and will the victims ever get the justice they deserve?
As someone who has a soft spot for historical crime fiction, I was eager to read this book. Since I already know that this is the first book in the series, I could be better prepared for gaps in the backstories.
However, the first half of the book seemed too slow and took forever to establish the plotline. Things kept hitting a dead block, much to the Inspector’s and my frustration. Luckily, the second half made up for it.
The book picked up pace after 55%. There was enough action and information to keep me guessing and intrigued. The recurring characters are promising, and I’m looking forward to knowing more about them.
The Inspector’s arc shifted gears at the right time. He’s not an entitled rich guy with contacts. He’s a hardworking man with strengths and flaws that make him likable and not-so likable at the same time.
The writing is engaging, though I wished things would proceed faster at times. However, I do understand the need to go slow in the first book (let me tell you that knowing that a book is the first in the series in advance and knowing it at the end can really impact the reading process).
The not-so-perfect side of Victorian society was portrayed accurately. The climax seemed a little less dramatic but suited the overall tone of the book. I’m satisfied with the way things went and must admit that Inspector Corravn is turning out to be an interesting character.
To sum up, Down a Dark River is a decent historical thriller with people and incidents from real life. I’m curious enough to pick up the next in the series whenever the author has it ready for us.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Land Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.

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The blog post will again be promoted after 1st Nov (close to the publication date).

Mighty strange goings-on along the Thames River for any given night of the week: Individuals of dubious backgrounds and thieves waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting. But the continuously darkening waters of that ol' river will be turning up gifts of the macabre kind very soon.

It's London in 1878 not quite time yet to shuffle out the likes of Jack the Ripper roaming the curving streets of Whitechapel. But there's to be some hideous crimes, nevertheless, and nearing the horrid fumes drifting off the Thames River.

Chief Inspector Michael Corravan owes a lot to those streets in Whitechapel. They gave him the backbone that produced a bare knuckle fighter winning a purse now and then. Michael had plenty of pent-up anger flowing through him as he was left an orphan at a young age. Ma Doyle took him in and set him straight. That straightening out found a pathway to work for the Metropolitan Police and eventually to Scotland Yard. Better to search out and arrest the crooks than to become one.

Times are hardening and London has been turned into a place of fear for well-heeled young women. (No, not yet, Jack.) Corravan's current case is of Madeline Beckford who was reported missing by her wealthy husband. Stephen Beckford describes her as having peculiarities and nervous tantrums.(Hello, Freud.) And just as Corravan is getting closer to discovering what happened to her, Howard Vincent, the new Yard director, reassigns Corravan to a new case.

It seems that a female body has been found in a small craft floating near the docks of the Thames. The woman appears to be about twenty years old. Her gown is that of upper class and her arms and hands have been posed around dried flowers. It would seem that the murderer took to poetic displays after death. And the most shocking of all this is that there will be more......

Karen Odden knows how to lay out a panoramic view of London during Victorian times. Her main character of Michael Corravan reflects the complications of evolving from the ruffian stages of living on the streets in youth to the solid responsibilities of representing the Yard. Corravan is a multi-faceted individual who still has the scrapper flowing in his blood. He'll bunt heads with his superiors left and right. But his allegiance to the Yard and to the people of London is commendable. Down A Dark River is the first in this remarkable series. Mind you, get in on the ground floor.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Karen Odden for the opportunity.

Such a good story! Inspector Corravan is an interesting man with a lot of mysteries in his backstory. He is also honorable to a fault. He is assigned to the case when a young woman is found in a boat on the Thames, dead. She is still dressed for the party she attended the night before. There appears to be no motive as she was well liked. A week later a second woman is found, in the same circumstances. It is a confounding investigation as Corravan searches for a link, aided by his assistant Stiles. The characters are compelling, both primary and secondary. I want to know more about them as hints are dropped in the story but not always followed up. I really hope there is a second book to come!

Michael Corravan has a history. But now he is an inspector in 1878 London working on an unusual case, a case of serial killing. His plate is already chock full but this case requires his particular skill set. The first of the women to be found is the daughter of a judge of the upper class which is puzzling. Along with his colleague Mr. Stiles, Corravan searches hither and yon for answers as they question and inveigle. The story contains oodles of deceit, bends and turns and romance along with mystery.

Author Belinda Gale is Corrovan's paramour. Her wit and cleverness add a certain je ne sais quoi both to her books and real life. The two are very different from each other but complementary.

My favourite aspects of the book are the atmosphere, historical figures introduced by the author and especially the insanity thread. I really like how the past is worked in...beautifully done and gorgeously written. Plus there are unexpected bits throughout. Do read the author's notes at the back as well. If you are seeking a fun Historical Fiction book, do add this one to your list. I look forward to discovering the next ideas the author has up her sleeve!

My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this delightful book.

Wow! There couldn’t be a more extraordinary and exciting on the edge-of-your-seat page turning Victorian mystery to read than 'Down a Dark River.' Very powerful prose. Karen Odden’s creative writing skills left me awestruck again. Though different in some ways from her previous novels, (this one is told through a male Inspector) it still bears her golden signature—an intelligent, riveting Victorian England mystery that soars with exceptional attention to detail.

Revenge, Justice and Mercy join together to tell this story in a way that is bold, fresh and original—even courageous, as seen in the delivery of its unexpected climax. What a standout ending!

We first meet our Irish hero, Inspector Corravan— a fiery yet controlled, stubborn yet persuadable— relentless pursuer of criminals. He is a flawed man with best intentions but basically good to the core. For he is a seeker of truth and tries to understand the criminal mind of heinous crimes. His own past as a former bare-knuckles boxer and dockworker in London’s seedy East End, comes in handy in his pursuit of justice. He has a strong street sense and a talent for uncovering clues. His early backstory is a heart-warming one for after losing his parents, he is adopted by the generous Ma Doyle. Known as a fighter who ‘wins fights with fast fists,’ he quickly learns through his adoptive mother that revenge is not worth fighting for and he looks elsewhere for a place to use his skills. His size and attributes become an asset to the Metro police. One might say the uniform changes him but maybe it only enhances his heroic, compassionate, faithful and appreciative heart. Saved by an Irish mother from his own youthful impulsive ways, he proves a person can escape his/her grim past and change direction.

All characters in ‘Down a Dark River’ are well presented with equally fascinating attributes. A particular mention is Belinda, an author, who is not only a serious love-interest of Inspector Michael Corravan but also a worthy partner in helping his mind solve crimes. She possesses a writer’s excellent observation skills. Plus a great understanding of literature and the psychological aspects of characters and how they relate to human nature and current events. Ironically, for all her creative endowments, in many ways, she is the voice of reason and acts as balancer when Corravan goes askew. She helps him look at things in a different light and exposes the flaws in his thinking, which forces him to take not only a hard look at himself but also at the mind and motives of others—especially the killer.

Likeable Harry, Stiles and James, are other notable friends of Inspector Corravan and add their own layer of wisdom, wit and warmth to the story. They also provide extra advice and insight that propels the Inspector forward in his search for truth.

Something else I loved— is Karen's ingenious use of Literature in 'Down a Dark River.' Armed with Victorian poetry (particularly Tennyson’s 'Lady of Shalott') the tragic beauty of this poem slices through the darkness with its eloquence. But its mention also creates a chilling picture of how it may have influenced a criminal’s vengeful mind. Will this clue offer us an understanding and explanation of the goings on in the plot? It certainly gives the reader plenty to think about! Being a poet myself, it was natural for me to lean to its possible relevance. In fact, it reminded me of the famous words by Percy Shelley from his essay ‘Defence of Poetry’ (published thirty-eight years before this story’s timeline) that "Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world." This line implies that writers of verse wield an unappreciated moral power – but I add, without intention of harm. Poets through their poetry, can reflect the discontents, philosophies, struggles and ideals of the age and act as visionaries sharing insights. Poets in Irish literature are held in the highest regard. In fact, as important as a king. But does this killer know such literary history? Even if he does not, he has recognised the power of words when put into action. And it certainly is a chilling powerful message he is trying to convey to someone. So, does he know the poem 'The Lady of Shalott' or is this mere coincidence that his victims are found floating downstream in a boat with flowers?

This novel delves into such questions as what drives a normally sane man to insane acts? Are there grey lines between justice and mercy? Is there room for compassion in judgement? We are challenged in our pre-conceived ideas. Then there is the muddy route of justice itself that is sometimes peppered with seeds of corruption in places of power: where dishonesty is hidden by layers of deception.

The pacing is perfect. Though towards the end, I felt as if I was watching the story in slow motion for I was so engrossed in the plot and action that time stood still! I found myself reading and re-reading passages, in case I had missed something. This story pulls you in and never lets you go. It’s like the sensation of holding your breath under water! You are dropped to the depths of the sea with an anchor to keep you under until you can see what is happening.

Taking the path 'down a dark river’ means a loss in innocence, faith, trust, hope and—even goodness but what leads a normal person down that fateful path or river in the first place? Hurt from loss? Anger, then hatred? Yes, injustice can breed a nasty offspring of ruthless activity.

This novel provides possible solutions that go against the grain of human nature and are shaded with undertones of divine mercy. The murky lines of right and wrong. The reasons behind actions. The hurt that drives those injured and misunderstood toward a ‘dark river’ of despair. The sense behind insanity that leads to insane acts. An engine of power, misunderstanding, deceit. Paradoxes galore fill this story that shake us from complacency as it turns over every stone for us to see the underside of things. It’s a beautifully executed novel that will stick to your heart and challenge your mind for years to come. I highly recommend this brilliant novel. 5 Stars from me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to Karen Odden, publisher Crooked Lane and Netgalley for the ARC to review.

I love a good historical fiction and murder/mystery book! And this book definitely delivered!

Michael Corravan is an inspector at Scotland Yard in the year 1878. The Yard has been under a lot of pressure and negative press.

A body of a woman is found floating in a boat on the Thames and the search for the killer begins. But… it’s not just a single victim. In the following weeks there are more victims.

The pressure is on when the press catches wind of the serial killings. And Inspector Corravan is trying to solve the case before London desolves into a state of panic and before the killer claims yet another victim.

I really enjoyed this book and thank NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read it.

I do suggest you check the TW before reading this book.


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This is a great and solid historical mystery novel that had me hooked by the end of the first chapter. Excellent writing, well developed characters, and an interesting and twisty storyline made this a very enjoyable read and one I highly recommend!!!

This was a good British police procedural book. It has a good mystery, full of twists and turns. It’s a page turner which I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend to fans of British Murder mysteries.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

An excellent historical mystery, the promising first in a new series. Karen Odden has a rare ability to immediately grab, and keep, the reader’s attention and she creates truly vivid characters. All of them, from the very flawed lead investigator, Michael Corravan, to the characters on the sidelines, were richly drawn. The entire novel immerses you in historical London, with the oftimes harsh realities of class distinction, injustice, and the growing pains of a younger Scotland Yard. Parts were not for the faint of heart, yet it was so well done that I couldn’t put it down. Odden kept the brisk pace and captivating storyline all the way through, leaving me as puzzled as Corravan about the motive behind the killings until the threads began to connect, and the ending was satisfying in more ways than just the murders being solved.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.